Chemical Form (States of Matter)

 Particulate contaminants.
SAFE HANDLING &
 Fumes.
USE OF CHEMICALS  Mists.
 Dusts & fibers.

 Gases and vapors.

Particulate Contaminants Particulate Contaminants

 Fumes.
 Formed by condensation of volatilized
solid in cool air.
 Formed by welding, torch cutting,
brazing, etc.
 Usually, less than 1.0 µm diameter.
 In most cases, hot vapor reacts with
air to form oxide.
 Mists
 Suspended liquid droplets generated by:
» condensation of liquids from vapor back to liquid state, or
» breaking up liquid into dispersed state (splashing or
atomizing).
 Term “mist” is applied to finely divided liquid
suspended in atmosphere.

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Particulate Contaminants Hazardous Particulates
 Dusts
50 mm

 Generated by handling, crushing, grinding, impact, 100 mm

detonation, and decrepitation (breaking apart by

heating).
 Term used to describe airborne solid particles that
range from 0.1 - 25 µm.
 Fibers
 Similar generation.
 Similar particle size but range in length from 6-12 mm.

Selected Hazardous Particulates Selected Hazardous Particulates

20 mm
 Diesel exhaust.
 Asbestos.  Lung cancer.
 Asbestosis, cancer.
 Lead & compounds.
 Beryllium.  CNS, PNS, blood.
 Berylliosis, cancer.
Be  Nickel. Lead ore
 Bacteria.  Nasal cancer, allergic contact dermatitis.
 Humidifier fever.
 Pesticides.
 Cotton dust.  CNS, cancer.
 Byssinosis.
1 mm  Cadmium, chromium, cobalt, manganese.
Chrysotile Asbestos  Cancer, CNS, pneumoconiosis.

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Gases and Vapors How to handle chemicals properly
 Gas is a fluid in the gaseous state having neither  Use cautions
independent shape or volume.  Always follow procedures
 Read all labels
 Keep yourself and the work area clean
 Vapor refers to a gas-phase material that  Plan ahead
normally exists as a liquid or solid under a given
set of conditions.

Routes of Exposure Inhalation

 Inhalation.  Chemicals in the air are inhaled into the body
 Through the lungs.
through the mouth or nose.
 Ingestion.  In the workplace, airborne chemicals may occur in
 Swallowed. different forms such as gases, vapors, dusts or mists.

 Absorption
 Through the skin or eyes.

 Injection.
 Needle stick.

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Ingestion Absorption
 Ingestion can occur through eating or smoking  Skin contact with chemicals can result in
with contaminated hands or in contaminated irritation, allergic response, chemical burns, and
work areas. allergic contact dermatitis.

 Physically damaged skin or skin damaged from

chemical irritation or sensitization will generally
absorb chemicals at a much greater rate than
intact skin.

Injection Symptoms of Possible Overexposure

 Eye discomfort
 Chemical substances can be injected into the
 Breathing difficulty
body by accidentally puncturing the skin with a
 Dizziness
contaminated needle or other sharp device.
 Headache
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Skin irritation

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Incompatible Chemicals
 Flammables and oxidizers
 Flammables and any ignition source
 Acids and cyanides
 Strong acids and strong alkalines
 Concentrated acids and water
 Organic solvents and corrosives
 Corrosives and other reactive materials

Chemical Manipulation Chemical Manipulation

Be familiar with chemical properties and products of

chemical reactions.
Be prepared for chemical spills and clean up spills
immediately.
Plan ahead – have apparatus and associated
equipment ready before chemicals are used.
Use the appropriate equipment, such as funnels,
beakers and spatulas when transferring chemicals.
Use chemical fume hoods to control exposure as
chemicals are transferred.
Use chemical fume hoods to control exposure during
the experiment.
Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment
(chemical splash goggles, gloves, etc.).
Have disposal containers ready ahead of time.

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Recommended Practices
 Avoid floor
clutter

• Avoid
shelf/bench
 Examine your currently available work area clutter

• Use durable waterproof labels and markers to

clearly indicate what is in the container.

 Consider inexpensive storage

containers for small or loose items.  Arrange containers based on compatibility

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  Your chemical storage
 Acids should be
area is not a kitchen—no
food storage please! stored in an Acid
Cabinet

• Food jars are designed to hold food.

Store hazardous lab chemicals only in • Flammables should
containers designed to hold them. be stored in a
Flammables Cabinet
• Sturdy shelving units with edging to
prevent containers from falling off.

Chemicals should be stored in

compatible groups. Oxidizers should
never be stored with flammables,
acids should never be stored with Hazardous chemicals
bases, and toxics should be stored by
(particularly corrosives)
themselves. Chemicals from different
groups that are still compatible can should never be stored
be stored together. above the shoulder
height of the shortest
person in lab. When
necessary, only non-
hazardous chemicals
Acids and bases must be stored
separately in chemical resistant
should be stored on
secondary containers to prevent the upper shelves.
spread of corrosives should a spill
occur.

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All chemicals must be properly
labeled as to the contents. Any
labels that are illegible or have
fallen off should be replaced.
Secondary chemicals containers
should be labeled with the contents
and the date on which the reagent
was made. Labels that are loose or
illegible should be replaced. All
containers (including those that just
hold water) must be labeled as to
their contents.
Flammable liquids should be stored in a
flammables cabinet.
Keep containers closed when not in use
Keep away from ignition sources
Avoid contact with incompatible
materials
Only transfer to approved containers
Up to ?? Liters of flammable
liquids may be stored in the
lab outside of the flammable
cabinet.
Many chemicals such as anhydrous
(diethyl) ether, tetrahydrofuran, and
1,4-dioxane readily form potentially
explosive peroxides. These
chemicals must not be stored in the
lab beyond the recommended period.
The most dangerous peroxide
forming chemicals are potassium
metal, isopropyl ether, sodium amide,
and potassium amide. These
chemicals must not be stored in lab
for longer than three months.
Spark sources such as variacs and
power strips must be stored
outside of any fume hood where
flammable solvents are employed.
Flammable liquids as well as other
chemicals and wastes must not be
stored on the floor in glass
containers due to the potential for
breakage.
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 Gas cylinders must be securely
anchored individually. They
should also have a status label
that indicates if the cylinder is
full, empty, or in use. The
practice of using a single chain
to anchor several cylinders is
dangerous and unacceptable.

Gases such as carbon monoxide,

chlorine, fluorine, phosgene, hydrogen
fluoride, nitric oxide, sulfur dioxide, and
hydrogen sulfide must be kept in a
continuously ventilated mechanical
enclosure such as a fume hood.
Excess cylinders should be stored in an approved storage area outside of
the lab. Flammable gases must be stored at least 20 feet away from
oxygen and oxidizing gases.

Safety Equipment Safety Equipment

Make particular note of the locations of:

 Emergency telephone numbers. ASK YOURSELF!!!

 Eyewash fountains
 Emergency showers
 First Aid Kit
 Spill kits. •Do I know where they are located?
 Fire Extinguisher •Do I know how to use?
 Emergency exits and evacuation routes. •Do I know that they work?
•Are they accessible?

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Each lab should have a first aid kit that is
properly stocked.
FMA 1967: what items are or are not needed
for the first aid kit.
A hydrofluoric acid treatment kit should be
included if you use HF in your laboratory.
Safety Equipment
Emergency eyewash station and safety showers are required within 10-
seconds travel distance and not more than 75 feet from where hazardous
chemicals are used.
- must be on the same level as the chemical area;
- there can be no stairs or ramps between the hazard and the
eyewash and/or safety shower.

All laboratories where flammables are stored

or used must have a fire extinguisher. Special
Class D extinguishers should be kept in all
labs that use reactive metals such as
sodium, potassium, or magnesium.

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Safety Equipment

Inspect safety showers and eye
washes yearly.
The location of each safety
shower and eye wash should be
clearly posted.
The area around showers and eye
washes must be left
unobstructed.
Laboratory personnel should
inspect eyewashes weekly.
Fire Extinguishers
Only attempt to fight a fire with a portable fire
extinguisher if...
• You are trained to use portable fire extinguishers
• The fire is small and contained, not big or rapidly
spreading
• The extinguisher is approved to fight the specific type of
fire

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 Types of Fire Extinguishers
Classified according to the types of fire they are
designed to extinguish:
 Type A – Used only on fires of ΄combustible΄
materials, such as wood, paper, and similar materials
 Type B – Used on organic liquid and other highly
flammable materials
 Type C – Used on fires of electrical origin
 Type D – Used on highly reactive metals or metal
compound
Emergency Procedures
Emergency Procedures which is required for
emergency situations.
Used to inform you of the procedures to follow in
the event of an emergency.
All laboratories that employ hazardous
chemicals must have a chemical spill kit
that is capable of handling any spill in
lab.
Laboratories that use large
volumes of acids, caustics, or
solvents may need to keep
specialized spill control materials
on hand.
Know how to respond to an emergency
In case of emergency…………..
- know how to respond
- require rapid building evacuation
- know the alternate exit routes
- know the location of assembly point
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 Personal Hygiene Safe Work Practices
Wash your hands after you complete the lab
(even if you have been wearing gloves ): Here are some key points to keep in mind:

- to limit your exposure to any chemicals you have handled in the
workplace.
You should also wash your hands
before leaving the workplace for any
reason, even if you intend to return
within a few minutes
• Keep work and walking surfaces clean, dry, and uncluttered.
• Make sure you have clear access to stairways andhallways, exits,
emergency equipment at all times.
“A place for everything and
everything in its place”
• L -- Label everything clearly
• A -- Appropriate containers in good
condition
• B -- Be neat and orderly

• S -- Store only what you will use

Do not eat, drink or apply makeup in workplace • A -- Always wear protective clothing
• F -- Food allowed in eating areas only
• E -- Everything in its place on a shelf
• T -- Time to inventory & organize
• Y -- Your safety is important

Recognizing Chemical Exposures Evaluating Chemical Exposures

 Recognize.
 Recognize.
 Evaluate.
 Common chemicals.
 Chemical form.
 Operations where used.
 Routes of exposure.
 SDS.  # employees exposed.
 Evaluate.  Level(s) of exposure.
 Control.  Permissible exposure limit (PEL)
 Control.

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Critical Factors Chemical Composition
 Determining exposure.  Chemical composition can be primary concern.
 Chemical composition.  Lead, cadmium, silica, smoke composition, radiological
 Crystalline, structural, & isotopic forms of particles. particles, etc.
 Shape of particles.  Biological organisms.
 Size of particles.  Type and numbers.
Staph Infection Bacteria
 Dose: concentration vs. duration. TB Bacteria

 Pre-existing health or genetic status.

 Concurrent exposure to other toxic agents.
Smoke
from the
twin
towers

Crystalline, Structural, Isotopic Nature Particulate Size Determination

 Silica dust.  Workers are not exposed to single particles but
 “free crystalline silica”. rather to large masses of particles suspended in
• Diatomaceous earth. air (particle clouds).
• Fumed silica.
• Silica gel.
 Particle clouds may be:
 Smokes, soots, organic origin.
 Monodisperse.
 Radioisotopes. » Composed of airborne particulates with a single size or a small
range of sizes.
» e.g. fog from boiling acid; welding fumes.
 Polydisperse.
» Composed of airborne particulates of many different sizes.
» e.g. sand blasting; paint spraying.

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Particle Size Terminology
 Micrometer (µm). A unit of length equal to one
millionth of a meter. Also known as “micron.” Equal to
1/25, 400th of an inch.
 Non-respirable. Particles > 10 µm in diameter.
Deposited in respiratory system before reach alveolar
sacs in lungs.
 Respirable. Particles < 10 µm in diameter. Likely to
reach alveolar sacs in great quantities.
Air Sampling & Analysis
 Area sampling.
 Area where workers are located.
» Sampling pump and cassette placed in area.
» New instantaneous instruments to measure total,
PM10 and PM2.5.
 Microbiological sampling is generally area
sampling using plates or impingers.
Air Sampling & Analysis
 Sampling for particulates is a fundamental
activity by Industrial Hygienists (IH).
 Determine exposure vs PEL/TLV.
 Breathing zone sampling.
 Personal.
» Sampling pump and cassette attached to worker.
Air Sampling
 Size selective particle sampling on
filters for either gravimetric or
microscope counting of fibers.
 Respirable dust is collected on a filter
(37 mm) using a cyclone set up.
» Gravimetric analysis.
 Asbestos is collected on smaller filter.
 25 mm.
Cyclone filter
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Why Measure? What Gases/Vapors Do I Want to Measure?
 Personal protection.  Gases or vapors measured limit the sensing
 Personal compliance monitoring. technology used.
 TWA.
 STEL or ceiling.  Range will also limit sensing technology used.

 Area monitoring.
 Confined space entry.
Magellan ammonia pipeline rupture in
 Hazardous spill. Kingman Co., Kansas on Oct. 27, 2004.

Gases and Vapors: Sampling Methods Gas Bags (Grab bags)

 Grab sampling.  Theory – samples are collected
 Detector tubes. via a slow-flow sample pump
 Gas bags. and stored in a plastic or foil
bag.
 Passive dosimetry.
 A wide variety of gases can be
 “Film badges”.
measured.
 Active sampling.
 Advantages – Easy sample
 Sorbent tubes & personal
storage. A variety of bag
sampling pump.
materials adds to the unit’s
 Direct reading instruments. versatility.

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Detector Tubes Passive Sampling
 Theory - glass tubes filled  Definition: the collection of airborne
with reagent that changes gases and vapors at a rate controlled
color in reaction to certain by a physical process such as
chemicals. diffusion through a static air layer or
permeation through a membrane
 Gases measured - Wide
without the active movement of air
variety of gases can be
through an air sampler.
measured.
 Advantages - Can measure  Diffusion of contaminated molecules
many gases that cannot be from an area of high concentration to
measured by direct-reading an area of low concentration on the
instruments. sampler

Passive Dosimeters Sorbent Tubes

 Common sorbent materials are:

 Partial list of substances for which badges are  Activated charcoal.
available:  Silica gel.
 Tenax.
 XAD-2.
 Mercury (Hg).  Chromosorbs.
 Nitrous oxide (N2O).
 Ethylene oxide (C2H4O).  Sorbent used to collect specific
 Formaldehyde (CH2O). chemicals will be specified in the
 Other organic substances. sampling method.

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Workplace Chemical Exposures Controls
 Recognize.  Engineering controls.
 Enclosing or confining operation or worker.
 Evaluate.  Ventilation:
» General, i.e. Dilution Ventilation
» Local Exhaust Ventilation
 Control.
 Engineering.
 Administrative.
 PPE.

General Ventilation for University Labs

ASHRAE HVAC Handbook: Laboratories
 Minimum airflow rates are generally in the range of 6 to 10
air changes per hour when the space is occupied
 Minimum ventilation rates at the lower end of the 6 to 12
ach range may not be appropriate for all laboratories.
Minimum ventilation rates should be established on a
room-by-room basis considering the hazard level of
materials expected to be used in the room and the
operation and procedures to be performed. As the
operation, materials, and hazard level of a room change,
an increase or decrease in the minimum ventilation rate
should be evaluated.

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Local Exhaust Ventilation Controls
A peer reviewed article presented the results of analyzing over 1.5
million hours of lab operation from 18 different sites and over 300 lab  Administrative controls.
spaces. The results showed that the number of actionable chemical and  Work practice controls
particulate contaminant events that required more than the minimum
dilution airflow was in the range of only 1 to 2 % of the time. » Alter manner in which task is performed
 Job rotation*
 Training
 Task timing

Controls Controls
 Personal protective equipment  Personal protective equipment Program
 Equipment that creates a barrier against workplace The employer shall establish and implement
hazards. procedures on:
 Must provide employee training.  Issuance
 Continuous program assessment.  Maintenance
 Inspection
 Training

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 Employers Preventing Illnesses
 What can employers do to prevent illness?
 Comply with OSHA regulations.
 Reduce exposure levels through the use of engineering
controls.
 Provide appropriate respiratory protection while these
controls are being installed, or if they are being
repaired.
 Perform air monitoring of worksites as needed, and
when required by law, and take corrective action when
levels are excessive.
Employees Preventing Illnesses
 What can employees do to prevent illnesses?
 Inform themselves of the hazards and what precautions
to take.
 Comply with workplace rules.
 Reduce exposure levels through the use of engineering
and administrative controls.
 Use appropriate respiratory protection and other PPE
properly.
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